Denton Public Libraries offers text message notification to inform customers of items ready to be picked up, due dates, items that are overdue and other notices through their cell phones. See a november 2007 news item.

Of the 97 public libraries in Denmark: 60 sent SMS if books requested are ready for pickup, 37 use SMS for recalls, and 46 sent SMS as warnings some days before a book is due [data from the 2007 annual statistic for public libraries in Denmark].

Oregon State University Mobile Site sends location based directions to the library and library contact information. In addition, patrons can send an SMS message containing a catalog record or course reserves. We also offers text the mobile site link to your phone from the main website as a way to promote the site.

Mobile collections

This includes audiobooks, ebooks, audio language courses, streaming music, films, images, etc. which can be used on mobile devices. These collections can either be downloaded from the library websites on user's own mobile devices or libraries lend mobile devices with the collections already on them.

Tartu Public Library, Estonia provided an audiotour of one of their exhibitions (Spring 2008). The audiotour was put on MP3 sticks. These were entered in the catalogue, so that users could borrow the MP3 sticks.

QR (Quick Response) 2D Codes

For a more detailed page about 2D codes, also known as QR codes, see the page in this wiki for QR Codes. See also the description in Wikipedia and the explanation in CSI on YouTube. Users with a camera phone equipped with the correct reader software can scan the image of the QR 2D Code causing the phone's browser to launch and redirect to the programmed URL.

University of Bath Library, United Kingdom is doing a project including QR2D codes in their OPAC. Catalogue records are proviced with these codes. When scanning the code, a map of the library is launched on user's mobiles, helping them to locate the library material in the library building. The university uses QR in their teaching and learning and even blogs on their QR code service.

At the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, the Netherlands, SMS is used during information literacy classes. Lecturers can add questions to PowerPoint presentations, which students can answer via SMS. The results of the sent SMS messages is directly visible in a diagram on the screen. Lecturers can thus assess the students' knowledge, but the tool is also useful for starting discussions. See the Dutch press release at http://www.vu.nl/nl/Images/pb%2009%20015%20SMS%20stemmen_tcm9-67541.pdf.

The University of Texas at Arlington Library developed ShelfLister, a mobile device staff client for stacks maintenance and inventory. The application is designed to work with the Voyager ILS and has been released under an open source license.

The University of Oregon Libraries and OSU Archives developed BeaverTracks, a mobile Historical Locations guide and Walking Tour. The mobile application provides historical images and information about 22 locations on OSU campus. Using geo-location, some mobile users can take a directions based walking tour of campus. Also see the Project Page - page about the project including screenshots.

Possible Health Effects

The use of wireless devices is increasing rapidly, yet there is concern in the scientific community that this technology could have adverse side effects. Some documents and websites to find out the facts and recommended precautions.